Vinyl pressings
by Marillion · 1985
Lavender was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
32 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 13 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
MARIL 4 A-3-1 U-1-Q4- 1Stamped side A Variant 1
MARIL 4 B--1U-1-Q5- 0Stamped side B Variant 1
MARIL 4AA-1U-3 1 D TOWNHOUSEStamped side A Variant 2
MARIL 4 B-- 1U-1-1- 0 DStamped side B Variant 2
MARIL 4A-1U-1-1-4 D TOWNHOUSERunout side A
MARIL 4 B-1U-1-1-4 DRunout side B
MARIL 4A-1U-1-1-X1 D TOWNHOUSESide A stamped apart from 'TOWNHOUSE' which is etched.Character after 4A crossed through.
MARIL 4B-2U-1-1-1 DSide B stamped
MARIL 4 A-2 U-1-Q2- 1Run-out side A
MARIL 4B-2U-1-Q2- X1Run-out side B
MARIL 4ASide A label
MARIL 4BSide B label
12 MARILP4A1 ORLAKERunout side A, variant 1
12 MARILP4B1 ORLAKERunout side B, variant 1
12 MARILP4A1 •ORLAKE•Runout side A, variant 2
12 MARILI P4B1 •ORLAKE•Runout side B, variant 2
12 MARIL 4 A-1U-1-1 TOWNHOUSERunout side A, variant 1
12 MARIL 4 B-2U-1-1Runout side B, variant 1
12 MARIL 4 A-3 U-1-1-1 D TOWNHOUSERunout side A, variant 2
12MARIL 4 B-1U-1-1-1 4 DRunout side B, variant 2
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | EMI ED-134First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Australia | EMI ED 134First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Australia & New Zealand | EMI EMI.1578 / EMI EMI 1578First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Australia & New Zealand | EMI EMI.1578 / EMI EMI 1578First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Canada | Capitol Records B-72990 / Capitol Records 72990First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Europe | EMI 1C K 060 20 0778 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | EMI 006 20 0777 7 / EMI 1A 006 20 0777 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Ireland | EMI MARIL 4First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | New Zealand | EMI EMI 922First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | New Zealand | EMI GOOD 82First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Portugal | EMI 2007786First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Portugal | EMI 2007777First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | South Africa | EMI EMIJ 2007777First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Spain | EMI 052 20 0778 6 / EMI 12 MARIL 4First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | Spain | EMI 006-2007777First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | EMI MARIL 47", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
34 vinyl pressings of Lavender are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, US, Germany, Australia and more. One of them is EMI MARIL 4, released August 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MARIL 4, 12 MARILP 4, 12MARIL 4, 20 0777 7) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MARIL 4 A-3-1 U-1-Q4- 1 and MARIL 4 B--1U-1-Q5- 0. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
